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Home My WebLink AboutCOM 0092.039 2004-2006 Pepeekeo Community Association P. O. Box 877 Pepeekeo, Hawaii 96783 April 6, 2005 Chairman Gary Safarik and Members of the Hawaii County Council RE: Bills Nos. 355 & 356 Relating to Continental Pacific, LLC's Request for Rezoning Aloha Chairman Safarik and Members of the Council: I am again before you to offer support on behalf of the Pepeekeo Community Association for Bills # 355 and #356, Continental Pacific, LLC's request for rezoning for property in Pepeekeo. At the March 15` meeting, there was some lengthy discussion about the impacts to the public regarding the 5 access points, and about a separate agreement with the Pepeekeo Community on 2 additional points of access along the coast. Likewise, considerable time (4 yrs has been spent in discussions between members of the Pepeekeo Community and Continental Pacific LLC on addressing the major concern of our fisherman and their access to the shoreline fishing spots. It is to the credit of all parties involved that although gates have been erected, a vehicular access was agreed on and allowed by Continental Pacific LLC to minimize, as much as possible, the walking distance of the fishermen to the shoreline. This allowance and agreement has been in practice and in place well over a year and has worked to the satisfaction of all fishermen who have signed a waiver and paid the annual $5.00 fee. They been given the combination to the locks to enter, with their vehicles, beyond the public access gates. We have not had any complaints about the fees or the opportunities to do what they have done for years. We have the verbal commitment from Continental Pacific LLC's representatives that this practice will continue until such time that the County has completed necessary arrangements to administer the rules and regulations of public access and the night time permitting process. At our March 30, 2005 General membership meeting, it was the consensus of the attendees that entering into an agreement that would put the Pepeekeo Community, the Association and its Directors in a position of unnecessary liability and financial burden was not the best, or the right, direction to lead the community into. Realistically speaking, I know of no other association along the coast that will, or has the ability, to confidently say "Yes we have financial resources that will pay for the liability insurance to protect the leaders of our community." Because we don't. "Yes, we are willing to assume the risk of losing our property and possessions." Becqause we aren't. q~3 1 Comm. No. Ref. To:~~~~~ 4 Ref. Cate _ APR 00~ "Yes, we will consistently have the community support, manpower and resources to repair and maintain the vehicular roadways that are used not only by our community members but by others as well." Because we don't. "Yes, we think it is fair to assume this responsibility' because it is not fair to shoulder 100% of the responsibility when vehicular paths are also bordered by private land and whose owners should also assume some responsibility. In carefully looking at the entire situation, it is the responsibility of community leaders to look not only at the present and what seems to be good now, but to look down the road for future generations. Members of the PCA Board are cautious to enter into anything that will bind and/or burden our successors, while at the same time eliciting all possible opportunities for further input from our constituents. In the concept of community-based planning, it is not the money that drives the effort, but the intent of the effort itself. If the intent is honorable, then there will be money to bring your effort to fruition. The County has negotiated 5 public accesses that are acceptable to the Pepeekeo Community Association at this time. Given the reasons stated above, if the only reasonable alternative is to forego the other 2 accesses (Alia Point and Iron Post) and the vehicular accesses at Highbank and at Banyan, then we are prepared to do just that. If there is opportunity to discuss other concessions, then certainly that would be the way to proceed. I take this time to express to you, the Council and to Continental Pacific LLC our community's appreciation and gratitude for your support, understanding, concern and consideration of our comments and for the well-being of our community. Continental Pacific LLC has indeed exemplified a model for community and developer relationship in which valuable education in the lifestyle, culture and spirit of our island has been delivered and embraced. The numerous community contributions by Continental Pacific LLC in the way of land clearing, donations and inter-community dialog has left a most favorable impression. The willingness to indulge this community in further exploration and discussion of other possible options by the Council and by Continental Pacific LLC will be graciously appreciated. If this granted, certainly it would be a small price to pay for an action that could conceivably have long lasting consequences. I would err on the side of caution than to do so on the side of haste. Change is inevitable. How we embrace and guide it is the role that we need to fill. The Pepeekeo Community Association supports Continental Pacific LLC's request for rezoning in Bills # 355 and 356. Thank you for this opportunity to submit this testimony. Respectfully, Lorraine Mendoza, President a ~ ~ Z _ n , 'i !I t'~. . ~ ~r ~----y --7`~ Y , i y t W ~ ~ O ~ f~ V . . <o a ~ Q P Y ~I I ° W es ~ ~ Z ~ ~ /I~ g i , ~ ~ s ~ 3 ~I Z ~ s~ ~ ~ ~ A ~ / 9, / ~ y ~ ~ i' I OYOY pi11tlY O W ~ ~ 1 i o , o w ~ ~ ~ ~ W x~ ~ g $g e ~ ~ W - _ . 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